Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
You'll combine product leadership with strong AI/ML fluency to ensure model-driven capabilities are valuable, safe, and scalable. You will partner closely with data science, engineering, and affordability subject-matter experts to define the roadmap, guide experimentation, and translate business needs into clear requirements for build, deployment, and adoption-grounded in Responsible AI practices.
The Senior Director of AI Product & Affordability is responsible for building and executing upon Health Plan Affordability opportunities using AI and Data Science techniques to identify and action upon medical spend drivers using systemic AI first technologies to complement the subject matter experts. This role is responsible for applying AI and Data Science experience to help design, guide, and build the models and agents to perform this work. Including accountability for translating the requirements to our capital-funded tech partners throughout the build and deployment lifecycle. In addition to daily execution this individual will stay educated on all new and emerging technologies in the marketplace and possible applicability to this space. Including running or guiding experimentation in evaluation of the capabilities and techniques used in this space. Tooling will also be developed to expedite the path to deployment for the cost controls identified. The controls could include levers that span Network, Payment Integrity, Clinical, and others.
Careers with Optum offer flexible work arrangements and individuals who live and work in the Republic of Ireland will have the opportunity to split their monthly work hours between our Dublin or Letterkenny office and telecommuting from a home-based office in a hybrid work model.
What you'll do:
- Solve complex problems using AI/data science to uncover medical spend drivers and convert insights into defined affordability solutions for health plans
- Provide thought leadership on AI and data science techniques that advance and automate diagnosis of cost drivers and accelerate solution deployment
- Guide and/or develop AI use cases and translate them into clear requirements for capital-funded technology partners across build, launch, and scaling
- Partner with engineering and data science teams to scope AI capabilities, define success metrics, and keep delivery aligned to product outcomes
- Run or guide experimentation to validate techniques and model approaches before committing to full-scale builds
- Communicate complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences; build credibility and influence through persuasive storytelling with data
- Stay current on emerging AI technologies and evaluate applicability through rapid learning and structured experimentation
- Travel: 10-15%
You will be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role, as well as providing development for other roles you may be interested in.
What you'll bring:
If you don't meet every single requirement, don't let that hold you back - we're just as excited about potential as we are about qualifications and experience, and you could be exactly who we're looking for.
- Demonstrable solid experience applying AI and data science in the healthcare sector (health plan or healthcare technology/services)
- Proven AI/data science background, including hands-on experience developing and implementing tools or model-driven solutions
- Demonstrated solid fluency in AI/ML concepts and implications for product design, delivery, risk, and adoption
- Demonstrated ability to translate customer and business needs into model-driven product requirements and measurable outcomes
- Proven experience with healthcare analytics, including claims data and related data sources
- Proven ability and willingness to lead and grow a small team of AI/tech-fluent product professionals
- Proven leader who can manage multiple complex, cross-functional initiatives in a matrixed environment
- Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and facilitation skills
- Proven ability to be a self-starter who thrives in fast-changing, sometimes ambiguous environments
- Demonstrated ability to lead through influence and drive alignment across highly matrixed stakeholders
Other useful skills and experience include:
- Advanced degree in Data Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related field
- Demonstrated knowledge of the healthcare services and healthcare technology landscape
- Proven experience across payer, provider, and/or government markets
- Proven consulting experience with product management, product analysis, and/or product implementation
Please note you must currently be eligible to work and remain indefinitely without any restrictions in the country to which you are making an application. Proof will be required to support your application.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.
Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: Optum is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, race, and membership of the Traveller community, or any other characteristic protected by law. Optum is a drug-free workplace. © 2026 Optum Services (Ireland) Limited. All rights reserved.
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Skills Required
- Solid experience applying AI and data science in the healthcare sector
- Proven AI/data science background with hands-on experience
- Solid fluency in AI/ML concepts
- Ability to translate customer and business needs into product requirements
- Experience with healthcare analytics, including claims data
- Ability to lead a small team of AI/tech-fluent professionals
- Experience managing complex, cross-functional initiatives
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills
- Ability to thrive in fast-changing environments
- Ability to drive alignment across stakeholders in a matrixed environment
Optum Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple plan types with employer HSA contributions, in‑network preventive care at 100%, and included 24/7 virtual visits, alongside dental and vision options. This breadth allows predictable copay choices or tax‑advantaged HSA designs to fit different usage needs.
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Retirement Support — Retirement programs include a 401(k) with employer match eligibility and full vesting over time plus an Employee Stock Purchase Plan at a discount. Together these elements support long‑term savings and ownership.
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Parental & Family Support — Family supports include six weeks paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and subsidized Bright Horizons back‑up care. Emotional well‑being resources like a premium Calm subscription and a 24/7 EAP complement these supports.
Optum Insights
What We Do
Optum, part of the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses, is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. At Optum, we support your well-being with an understanding team, extensive benefits and rewarding opportunities. By joining us, you’ll have the resources to drive system transformation while we help you take care of your future. We recognize the power of connection to drive change, improve efficiency and make a difference in health care. Join a team where your skills and ideas can make an impact and where collaboration is key to creating technology that produces healthier outcomes.
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Optum Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Optum has three workplace models that balance the needs of the business and the responsibilities of each role. These models, core on‑site (5 days/week), hybrid (4 days/week) and telecommute or fully remote, vary by country, role and location.